What is it? The Volunteering Fund or, to give it its full name, the Department of Health Volunteering Fund for Health and Social Care, provides a combination of grant funding and support to third-sector organisations working with volunteers in the health and social care field.
How much is on offer? Six to eight grants of up to £35,000 over three years in each region.
What will it fund? Projects that are addressing social care priorities, in particular those outlined in the Department of Health strategy Our Health, Our Care, Our Say, or projects addressing health inequalities. Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate one or more of: innovation in volunteering practice, potential to develop, for example in engaging new volunteers, participation in local partnerships and sustainability.
Who can apply? Only local organisations can apply to the current funding round. An eligibility questionnaire is available on the website and organisations must meet criteria including being a constituted third sector organisation, and having key policies on equality, health and safety and safeguarding of children and adults already in place. Applications will be invited from different regions throughout the year, with the first round aimed at the North East and North West, followed by: East Midlands and Yorkshire and Humberside; South Central, South West and West Midlands; and London, South East and East of England. Workshops are being held on the application process; the first are on 4 February in Newcastle and 11 February in Manchester.
Find out more: www.volunteeringfund.com.
FUNDING NEWS IN BRIEF
The National Lottery Awards has launched its annual competition to find the best lottery-supported project. There are seven categories and entries must be received by 5pm on Friday 12 February. Winners receive £2,000 and will appear on prime-time TV. www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk
Buckinghamshire's The Puzzle Centre has received £211,740 towards providing a nursery for children aged between two and five with autistic spectrum disorder. It is one of 37 projects to receive more than £10m from the Big Lottery Fund's Reaching Communities scheme.
Coloma Convent Girls' School in Croydon has received £243,399 from the Football Foundation to build a floodlit artificial grass pitch on the school grounds. The facility will be available for community use.
